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A ‘distressed’ woman on a motorway bridge was saved by police officers.

They were seen running to help her by the parapet on a high bridge.

But the drama involving her high above the M62 caused long delays for motorway drivers.

Police and Highways Agency officers stopped traffic on the busy motorway on Saturday.

The incident took place on the landmark Scammonden Bridge, which carries Saddleworth Road some 120 feet above the motorway, on Saturday at around 10.30am.

Traffic stopped as police restrain woman (circled) on bridge over M62 at Scammonden
Traffic stopped as police restrain woman (circled) on bridge over M62 at Scammonden

Motorway traffic was stopped in both directions between 10.13am and 10.41am while police attended the scene.

The woman, described by West Yorkshire Police as being in a ‘distressed’ state, was restrained by officers and led away to safety.

Eyewitness John Young, who recorded the video above, was in a vehicle a short distance from the bridge during the incident.

Mr Young, of Almondbury, said: “We saw someone stand over on our side of the bridge run over to the other side.

“The police came from nowhere, ran onto the bridge and got hold of her and restrained her.”

A West Yorkshire Police officer said: “A distressed lady was found on the bridge. No negotiation was needed and she was brought off the bridge by police.”

The bridge, often known as the Brown Cow Bridge, has become an infamous suicide spot.

Four people have died after jumping or falling from the bridge between 2006 and 2012.

In October 2010, neighbours complained that signs installed on the bridge by The Samaritans were ‘promoting’ it as a suicide spot.

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